Apparatus and Method for Control Using a Humming Frequency

Abstract

A device controller configured to control physical devices using an audible humming frequency that includes: a humming frequency module, a humming command module, and a control command module. The humming frequency module may be configured to determine humming frequenc(ies) using a detected humming signal(s). The humming command module may be configured to compute humming command(s) based on the humming frequenc(ies). The control command module may be configured to generate control command(s) using received key command(s) and humming command(s).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling a device comprising:
 a) a humming frequency module configured to determine at least one humming frequency using a detected humming signal;   b) a humming command module configured to compute at least one humming command based on the at least one humming frequency;   c) a control command module configured to generate at least one control command using:
 i) at least one received key command; and 
 ii) the at least one humming command; and 
   d) an output module configured to output at least one control command.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming signal is at least one of the following:
 a) an analog signal; or   b) a digital signal.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming signal is derived using an accelerometer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming signal is derived using a microphone. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled device is a wheelchair. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled device is a remote control toy. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one key command is derived using a speech recognition system. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one key command is a direction. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for controlling a device is a remote control apparatus for controlling a device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents an absolute velocity. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents a relative change in velocity. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents a relative change in direction. 
     
     
         13 . A method executable by at least one suitably programmed processor for controlling a device comprising:
 a) receiving at least one key command;   b) determining at least one humming frequency using at least one detected humming signal;   c) computing at least one humming command based on the at least one humming frequency;   d) generating at least one control command using:
 i) the at least one key command; and 
 ii) the at least one humming command; and 
   e) outputting at least one control command.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming signal is detected using at least one of the following:
 a) an accelerometer;   b) a microphone;   c) a sound detection device;   d) a piezo electric crystal; or   e) a combination of the above;   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one key command is derived from speech. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one suitably programmed processor for controlling a device is a remote suitably programmed processor for controlling a device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one key command includes a direction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents a relative change in direction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents an absolute velocity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the at least one humming command represents a relative change in velocity.